The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers — better known as the IEEE — is one of the largest technology standards groups in the world. They are involved in everything from cybersecurity to computer interfaces. And they are heavily involved in Health Tech products. The Personal Health Device Working Group has established standards for devices ranging from glucose meters and blood pressure monitors to basic electrocardiograph (ECG) and pulse oximeter devices.
IEEE recently announced five more initiatives that this group is tackling. They are working on amending their standards for pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, weighing scales, and body composition analyzers. The group also has on-going projects on standards for respiration monitors, insulin pumps, urine analyzers, and sleep monitors.
This is important work. Only through standards such as these can manufacturers and consumers be confident that the various devices will be able to accurately perform their assigned tasks, and communicate data to other compatible devices simply and reliably. According to Konstantinos Karachalios, managing director of the IEEE Standards Association, (IEEE-SA), “The launch of these new standards-development projects for e-health is another indication of the IEEE-SA’s commitment to improving quality of healthcare and well-being of people worldwide. Ultimately, standards-based e-health is intended to help more people around the world live longer, healthier and more enjoyable lives.”
